Inverness staging Antiques Roadshow-style valuation event in aid of small local charities

Have you ever wondered how much that dusty old painting in the cupboard might be worth… or that scuffed wristwatch grandfather wore in the war?

Many stories have emerged over the years about items being discovered that carry amazing values when assessed by antiques experts.

Thanks to popular TV shows such as the long-running Antiques Roadshow and Flog It, there is a huge interest in finding out the value of potential hidden gems, and this weekend a three-hour antiques valuation session is being held in Inverness in aid of local charities.

The event at Drumossie Hotel has been organised by the Rotary Club of Inverness in conjunction with McTears Auctioneers of Glasgow, and is being held this Sunday April 28, from 1pm to 4pm.

For a small admission fee you are invited to bring along items such as jewellery, watches, coins, silver, ceramics, glass, art, pictures, medals, instruments and small items of furniture to have them valued. Photographs of larger pieces of furniture will be accepted.

There is no obligation beyond having items valued, although should you wish, McTears will arrange for items to be auctioned at a later date and place.

The admission fee is £10 for one item, £15 for two and £20 for three.

Inverness Rotary president and architect Colin Munro said: “This is the first valuation I have helped organise with McTears, and I understand from them that we could be looking at around 200 people having items valued within the three hours we have at the Drumossie.

“There is always interest in discovering if you have something like a long-lost Rembrandt or a vintage Rolex watch.

“We are putting the money raised to the smaller, local charities that don’t have the fundraising power of the bigger organisations.”

One of the items being brought along is “Degas” style painting signed by the celebrated art forger Thomas Keating.

Colin said: “The painting was my parents’ and it was done and signed by Keating after he had been through the courts, so it might have some value.”

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